Deal Made In Airman's Shooting

Suspect Admits Guilt, Will Testify Against Accomplice

YORK — William Alfredic Jones pleaded guilty Friday to the abduction, robbery and murder of a young Langley airman last summer.

He also pleaded guilty to three related firearms charges. And he agreed to testify against his co-defendant, Daryl Renard Atkins.

In return for his cooperation, prosecutors will ask the court to drop all the charges against Jones except for the murder and one gun charge.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Tuesday, September 9, 1997.A story on the front of Saturday's Local section incorrectly said that even if William Alfredic Jones were to confess to being the triggerman in the killing of a Langley airman last summer, the state would never be able to prosecute him for capital murder because of a guilty plea he entered Friday to the lesser charge of murder. York-Poquoson Commonwealth's Attorney Eileen Addison says if Jones confessed to being the triggerman, she could ask the court to void the plea agreement and allow her to charge Jones with capital murder.

But that will only happen after Jones has proven himself, the plea agreement spells out.

Not coincidentally, his sentencing has been set for Feb. 26 - two weeks after Atkins is scheduled to be tried.

The prosecution believes Atkins was the triggerman and is seeking the death penalty. Atkins is charged with capital murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison or death.

Jones pleaded guilty to felony murder, a charge of participating in a crime that ended with the victim's killing at the hands of an accomplice. Felony murder carries a sentence of 20 years to life.

Prosecutors have not agreed to limit the sentence they request for Jones. But they will ask the judge to consider Jones' cooperation favorably in sentencing, according to the plea agreement.

Eric Nesbitt, 21, was kidnapped outside a Hampton convenience store early Aug. 17, 1996. He apparently stopped to get a snack after getting off work at a part-time job and before heading home to Langley Air Force Base.

Atkins, 19, and Jones, 27, both formerly of Sacramento Drive in Hampton, forced their way into his pickup and took him to a bank machine, according to investigators. Dramatic pictures taken by an ATM camera showed Nesbitt seated between two men and withdrawing money at gunpoint.

Nesbitt was then driven to Crawford Road, a remote section of York County, and shot eight times in the arms, stomach and back.

After Atkins was arrested, he admitted participating in the crime but said Jones had been the shooter. Investigators initially believed his account.

But evidence later emerged showing that Atkins was the shooter, said Commonwealth's Attorney Eileen Addison.

Addison declined to comment on the plea agreement, other than to say she was "comfortable with it."

"Hopefully, the court will treat him fairly, recognizing that he's guilty of only felony murder and the firearm charge," said Jones' attorney, Timothy Clancy.

George M. Rogers III, Atkins' attorney, said he was expecting the plea agreement - and for Jones to turn state's witness.

Jones' credibility will be a key trial issue, Rogers said. Meanwhile, the forensic evidence will show that Jones was the triggerman, the lawyer predicted.

Because of the plea agreement, the state will never be able to prosecute Jones as the triggerman.

"He could make a statement right now, `I shot him,' `I shot him,' and they couldn't do anything about it," Rogers said.